Many of the “greatest stories ever told” in the past century were told right here in Culver City.
On Oscar Sunday in the Heart of Screenland, guests will encounter tales in visual and performing art as they follow the yellow brick road into 100 points of motion picture magic. The Screenland 5k is held on March 10 at Ivy Station and presented by the City of Culver City.
Interpreting a century of iconic Culver City movies and television shows, local professional and community artists have designed, drawn, and painted artwork that will be placed on the route near where the shows were filmed. These works will complement interpretive cinematic art by Culver City High School students. Musicians and other performers will engage guests and reenact scenes near the artwork.
“This will be a unique challenge for performers and artists because walkers and runners will enjoy their work for only a few seconds as they proceed along the racecourse!” said Lori Escalera, Screenland 5K Creative Director.
Much of the visual and performing art along the route and at the Health and Fitness Expo aims to amplify the voices of under-represented talent in the Heart of Screenland, recognizing their significant yet often overlooked contributions to cinematic storytelling and observing that the event occurs on the cusp of National Women’s and Black History months.
“We’ll be honoring many cultures and identities, as there will be something for everyone,” Escalera said.
At first glance, some Culver City art will represent scenes and movies that are not widely recognizable. Still, the history and culture many of these films embrace have brought centuries of history to a new generation, noted Escalera.
Patrons of the course visual and performing arts are Emerald City partner Culver City Toyota, and Golden Wizard partners Culver City Rotary Foundation, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Ting, Ivy Station, and Culver City Arts Foundation.
Supporting the city’s vision of “sound minds and bodies,” Screenland 5K beneficiaries include the Culver Council of PTAs, which runs Backpacks For Kids, Jazz Hands For Autism, FeedCulver, Bike Culver City, Culver City Firefighters Assoc. (The Jesse Luna and Mike McCormick Memorial Mile), Culver City Police Officers Assoc. (Defending gold Medalists in Marathon Relay and Police Olympics), Connecting To Cure, Culver City Historical Society, and Friends of the Sandy Segal Youth Health Center.
Enter code CENTENNIAL at www.screenland5K.com for 15% off until Jan. 31.
Mike Cohen
Artist Cynda Valle interprets a scene from a Culver City film of yesteryear.
